Pump-priming mechanism.



O. S. LEWIS.

PUMP PRIMING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 00126, 1912.

1,080,917. I Patented Decf9, 1913.

J- v I Z] 5 :1

I M7, 4 @raflazwzx M ff UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

CHARLES S. LEWIS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. I

PUMP-PBIMING mEcnANIsm,

-whieh it 'appertains'to make and use the same.

This invention relates to devices that are usedfor supplying a liquid to the suction side of a centrifugal or rotary pump so as to prime the pump when t becomes air.

One object of my invention is to prov de a pump-priming apparatus or mechanism which is so designed that a quantity of liquid suflicient to prime the pump will be supplied, to the suction side of the pump automatically whenever the pump becomes air-bound.

. pump and the supp Another object is to provide a pumpriming apparatus which is so designed thatitwill automatically ,remove :the air in the supply line between the suction side of-the ly of liquid to be pumped and thus cause said liquid to enter the sucthat is adapted to be arranged. between a,

line and which comprises means ing the tion side of the pump.

Another obj ectis to prov de an apparatus centrifugal or rotary pump and the supply for reducpressure or creating a partial vacuum in the supply line so as to start the flow of the liquid through said supply line when the pump is first set in operation or when the flow has been interrupted as, for example, by air having entered the supply line.

Another-object is to provide an apparatus whichmakes it possible to use a centrifugal or rotary pump for exhausting air or gases.

from a line or closed the pressurein same. jeet is to provide a vacuum-producing apparatus consisting of two communicating chambers and a centrifugal pump arranged in such a manner thatthe pump will suck vessel or for reducing charges of liquid out of one-of said cham-n bers intermittently andthus reduce the pressureor create a partial vacuum in said chamber and in the suction line that-communicates with said chamber.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October 26, 1912. Serial No. 727,880.

.PatentedDec. 9, 1913.

The figure of the drawing is a vertical sectional view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention.

Briefly described, .my ap aratus consists of two chambers, a oentrii ugal or rotary And still another 0b-' nicates with the suction side of the pump thus causing a partial vacuum or diminumunicates with the suction side of the pump, the liquid continuing to fiow' into the pump drawing .or sucking out the accumulated liquid from said chamber intermittently, a partial vacuum or diminution of pressureresulting in said chamber each time the accumulated volume of liquid is withdrawn.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred form of'my invention, A and B designate two chambers that communicate with the suctiomside and with the discharge side, respectively, of the centrifugal or rotary pump paratus'isused, and D designates a separate chamber preferably in the form of a conduit which communicates at chamber A and at its opposite end with a supply pipe E through which liquid, gas or air is to be drawn. The cubical contents of the chamber B is preferably greater than the cubical contents of the chamber A, and said chamber B is arranged at a higher level than the chamber A, preferably above same, as herein shown, so that the liquid inthe chamber B will flow into through a ductor orifice that establishes communication between said chambers; In the preferred form of my invention, as herein shown, a bypass 1 leads from the lower end of the chamber chamber A, and a valve 2 is provided for regulating the flow of the liquid through :sa1d'bypass and cuttingofii' the flow of the liquid under "of said valve being provided, with an adpump connected by means of a suction pipe;

than the volume that is drawnsi multaneously from the lower chamber by the pump,

said chamber from the other chamber and- C with which the ap-' the chamber A certain' conditions, the stem, 2?

a discharge pipe with the other chamber,

tion of pressure in the chamber that com' one end with the j B to the upper end of the 12 in the chamber A. This liquid thatisinl-I ,troduced into the apparatus primes -the justing nut 2 A pipe 3 which leads from the suction side of the pump C, projects'into the lower chamber A and terminates a short distance from the bottom of said chamber, theend of said pipe being curved downwardly and the pump C being so arranged with relation to said pipe thatthe intake of the pump is higher than the open lower end of the pipe 3. A pipe 4 leads from, the discharge side of the pump C to the upper chamber B, and said chamber is provided at its upper end with a discharge orifice 5 -With which a discharge pipe 6 communioil' communication between said chambers under certain conditions, and another checkvalve 7 bein arranged adjacent the upper end of the chamber D where the supply pipe E is connectedto same. I

Communication is established between the chambers B and D by means of a pipe or conduit 8 in which a valve 9 is arranged, and

means is provided for permitting air to escape from the pump suction pipe 3 and from the chamber A into the upper portion of the chamber B, the means that I prefer to useior this purpose consisting of an air pipe 10 that communicates with orifices 11, 12 and 13 in thepump-suctiqu pipe 3 in the chamber A and-in the chamber B, respectively, and provided with a check-valve '14, as shown in dotted lines in the drawings that prevents. air, gas or liquid from escaping fromthe chamber B lIltOlSBid air-pipe 10.

When the apparatus above-described is combined with a rotary or centrifugal pump that is to be used for drawing liquid from a source of supply S and pumping it to the point where it is consumed or utilized,-the end of thesupply pipe E is submerged in the supply of liquid S and a suflicient quan 'tity of liquid is introduced into the chamber B through a filling open'in the discharge opening 15 or through 5 in t e'top thereof to fill said chamber, the chamber A, the C, and the suction and discharge pipes 3 and 4, respectively, of the pump,-the li uid flow ing into the air-pipe 10 throught 'e ,orifice pump, and when the pump is startedgltlie B, thus causing an equal ambunt of liq'uidtb:

be forced out ofsaid chamber 'B through'the discharge pipe 6. While the pump isdrawing the liquid out of-the chamber A, liquid 1s flowing from the chamber B into ,the chamber A through the bypass or duct 1, but, because of the relatively greater volumetric capacity of the pump as compared to that of said bypass, the pump draws a greater quantity of liquid from the chamber A than'can enter it through said bypass during a corresponding period, therefore a partial vacuum or diminution of pressure results in chamberA, conduit .D and ,pipe or line E causing the supply of liquid S to enter the submerged end of the supply pipe E-and fill same to a greater or less degree according to the cubical capacity of thepipe E and the conduit D with which it communicates, the

liquid continuing to rise in the pipe E until the pressure in the chamber A exceeds the pressure in the chamber or conduit D and in the pipe E by reason of the liquid flowing into the chamber A from the chamber B, the check-valves 7 at'each end of the chamber D closing automatically and thus cutting ofi communication between the chambers D and e A. When the liquid in the vchamber A is exhausted to a point where the intake end of the suction pipe 3 of the pump is no longer submerged, air enters thepump and thus ;.causes it tobecome air-bound or cease to pump the liquid through the discharge pipe 4, the liquid in the air-pipe 10 having also been drawn out of same throu h the orifice 11. The liquid continues to ow into the chamber A from the chamber B until the level of the liquid in the chamber A and in the suction pipe 3 of the pump reaches the orifices 12 and 11 in said chamber and pipe, respectively, that communicate with the a1rpipe 10, the air in said chamber and suction pipe 3 escaping through the air-line 10 into the upper portion of the chamber B'. At this time the upper chamber B is only partially filled with liquid owing to the fact that when the pump first started an amount cham er A was forced out of the chamber B through the'discharge pipe 6, but as soon as the liquid rises high enough in the chamher A- and in the suction pipe 3 of the pump to cover the orifices 12 and 11, the pump will be againprimed and consequentlywill Y of li uid equal to the cubicalcontents of the sume the pumping of the liquid through the, i

discharge pipe 4- upper fend vof the air-line 1 0 preventing from-flowing. fromthe chamber B into chamberfA .and into-the suction=pipe.of the pump.

ading trom thev pump to.- the' chamber B, the check-j'valve 14 in the The liquid that has flowed into the chamber (A from-,the chamber .3. will be sucked or liquid in the chamber A will be'sucked or,

suctlon pipe 3 and-a partial vacuum will again be created in the chamber A and in the charm-'- berD, thereby causingthe liquid from the source of supply S to rise higher in the pipemacaw E or to be drawn into the chamber D, depending, of course, upon the length of the supply-pipe E. If theapp'aratus is located some distance from the source of liquid supply S, several cycles will, occur before t e supply of liquidin the pipe E reaches the chamber A-;, or, in other words, if the pipe E- is very long a number of charges will be drawn out of the chamber A, thus creating. a partial vacuum in said chamber several times before the liquid from the source of supply reaches the however, as the li uid from the source of supply has filled t e chamber D and has passed from said chamber into the chamber A the pump C will ousl through the pipe 4, the quantity of liquid which is drawn through the supply pipe E being greater or less according to the quantity of liquid that fiowsfrom the chamber B into thechamber A through the byass 1, it being possible to regulate the flow of the liqluid throu h the bypass 1 by adjusting the va ve 2. A ter the flow of liquid becomes continuous the valve 2 can be closed if desired so as to cut off the passage of the liquid from the chamber B to the chamber A, thereby causingthe ump to draw the same uantity of liquid t roughthe supply pipe that is forced out of the apparatus through the discharge pipe 6. r

The air-line 10 not only permits airto esca efrom the chamber A and from the inta epipe or suction pipe 3 of the pump when the liquid is flow ng from the chammembers to prime the pump,

. but'fsaid air-line also equals the pressure in the intake pipe of the pump while the liquid is-rising mthe pipe 3, thereby eliminating the possibility. of the liquid being drawn up into thepum until the chamber A has been filled. Re erring' to the drawing it will be seen that the lower portion of the air-line or p1pe 10 which extends or lies between the orifices 11 and 12, is substantially U-shaped so-that it virtuallyforms a trap. Consequently, after the pump has drawn a charge of liquid out of the chamber A and has become air-bound in the manner precommunicate with the liquid through I the air in t he-U-shaped portionof the airviously described, it will be-impossible for the ump to again.resume pumping of the the discharge pipe 4 because line 10 causes the pumpto remainair-bound until the liquid rises .high enough in the chamber A and in the pump-suction pipe; 3 to submerge the orifices 11 and 12-which air-pipe 10; In case the check-valves in the chamber D leak, the liquid contained in the entire apparatus, line D and liquidiwhich may becontained in pipe 6 will gradually flow into the source of'sup 1y S w en the pum C is not in motion, 1 the source of supp y S is located at elower-levelthan the top of chamber B.

chamber A. 'As soon,

discharge liquid continualways be .of water which "passes drawn intermittently tently, the liquid ratus is immaterial,

-The function of the connection or pipe 8 that leads from the chamber B to the chamber D is to prevent all of the liquid in chamber B from flowing into chamber A and being siphoned'through the chamber D and line E intothe source of supply S when the pump isnot in motion in case the check-valves -7 1n the chamber D leak.

When the level of the liquid in the chamber B'falls below the point where the pipe 8 communicates with said chamber, the air in th'eupper portion of said chamber flows through the pipe 8 into the chamber D and thus destroys any partial vacuum in the chamber D caused by the scatic column of water between the chamber or conduit D and the source ofrsupply S, thereby eliminating the possibility of the liquid being siphoned out of the chamber B below the point where the connection or pipe 8 is attached in case the valves 7 in the chamber D leak. This pipe 8 determines the lowest liquid level in the V chamber B, and it is so arranged that it will submerged when the pump is pumping liquid through the discharge pipe 4. Consequently, there is no possibility of air passing from the chamber B into the chamber D through the pipe 8, the quantity through the pipe 8 when the pump is operating being regulated by the valve 9.

While I have herein shown only a manually-operated means for regulating the valve 2 in the bypassl, it will, of course, be understood that an automatic mechanism could be employed for closing said valve when the pump is forcing liquid through the discharge pipe 4 and for opening1 said valve when the flow of liquid throug said discharge pipe ceases.

My improved priming apparatus is not only adapted for use with a pump that is used for pumping a li uid from a source of supply, but it also ma es it possible to use a centrifugal or rotary pump for exhausting air or gases from a line or for decreasing the pressure in a closed vessel.- When used for this purpose the liquid will be from the chamber A so as to reduce the pressure in said chamber or create a partial vacuum in same intermitthat. is drawnout of the chamber A and forced into the chamber B flowing back into the chamber A so as to prime the pump intermittently.

The particular construction of the appaso faras my broad idea is concerned, and while I have herein shown the chambers A, B and D integrally connected together or combined in a single? casting, 1t will, of course, be understood that these chambers could be formed by separate members and arranged in various other ways than herein shown without departing from the spirit of my invention.

after it has become air or gas-bound' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l v 1. An apparatus for the purpose described, comprising a chamber adapted to be arranged in communication with a liquid supply: line, "or a vacuum'line, a pump for drawing-liquid out of said'cham'ber so as to reduce the pressure in same, and means separate and distinct from the pump for causing liquid 'to flow-into said chamber so as to prime the pump while it is in motion after it has become air or gas-bound. v p

2. An apparatus for the purpose described, comprising a chamber adapted to be arranged in communication with a liquid supply line or a vacuum line, a pump .for drawing liquid out of said chamber so as to reduce the pressure in same, means separate and distinct from the pump for holding a supply of liquid, and means for causing liquid from said source of supply to enter said chamber at a lesser quantity per minute than the capacity of the pump so as to prime the pump while it is in motion An apparatus for the purpose described, comprising a chamber adapted to be arranged. in communication with a liquid supply line oravacuum line, a pump for drawing liquid out of said chamber so as to reduce the pressure in same, and a passageway for establishing communication between said chamber and a supply of liquid that is separate and distinct from the liq uid in the pump, the volumetric capacity of the pump being relatively greater than that of said passageway. A

4. An apparatus for the purpose describedw comprising a chamber having, an inlet, a check-valve for said inlet, a pump suction pipe terminating inside of said chamber,

and a fluid duct or conduit communicatingwith said chamber for supplying a fluid to said chamber, the cross sectional area of said fluid supply duct being lescs than the cross sectional area of the pump suction pipe.

5, An apparatus for the purpose described comprising two chambers arranged at different levels, a pump suction pipe terminating inside of the lower chamber, a pump discharge pipe communicating with the upper chamber, and means for permitting liquid to flow from the upper" chamber into the'lower chamber so as to prime the pump while it is in motion after, the pum has sucked the liquid out of the lower chamber to create a partial vacuum in said chamber, said lower chamber being adapted to communicate with a liquid supply line or a vacuum line 6. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising an upper and a lower chamber, a pump-suction pipe communicating with the lower chamber, a pump discharge :pipe

communicating with the upper chamber,-

means for permitting liquid to pass from the upper chamber into the lower chamber so as to prime the pump whileit is in motion,

and means for permitting air to escape from said lower chamber and from the pump-suction pipe when said members are being filled with liquid.

7. An apparatus for the'purpose described comprising a chamber adapted to be arranged in communication with a liquid supply lme or ayacuum line, a pump suction pipe communicating with said chamber for 7 drawing liquid out of said chamber so as to reduce the pressure in same, means for causing liquid to enter sald chamber so as to prime the pump while it is in motion when it becomes air 0r gas-bound, and means for preventing the pump from startingto pump liquid until a certain quantity of liquid has entered said chamber.

8. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising an upper andsa lower chamber,

a pump-suction pipe terminating inside ofsaid lower chamber, a pump discharge pipe communicating with the upper v chamber, means for'permitting a liquid to flow from the upper chamber into the lower chamber at a lesser relative volume than that at which the liquid is sucked out of said lower chamberby the pump in the same interval, a'

valved admission port that establishes communication between sald lower chamber anda liquid supply line or vacuum line, andan air-pipe communicating with orifices in said chamber and in the pump suction pipe 9. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a pump-suction pipe terminating inside of the lower chamber, a pump discharge pipe communicatin with the upper chamber, a conduit .establis ing communication between said lower chamber and a liquid supply pipe or vacuum pipe, a check-valve in said conduit that opens toward said lower chamber, means for permitting liquid to flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber, and an air trap that establishes communication between the upper portion of the lower chamber and the pump-suction pipe adj acent-the point where saidpipe enters the pump. v 1

10. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a pump-suction pipe termi-- nating inside of the lower chamber, a pump discharge pipe communicatin with the upper chamber, a conduit establishing communication between said lower chamber, and

a liquid supply pipeor vacuum plpe, a

check-valve in said conduit that opens toward said lower chamber, means for rmitting liquid to flow from the upper c amber to the'lower chamber, an air pipe communi= eating with orifices in said upper and lower chambers and in the pump-suction pipe, and means for permitting air to escape from said upper chamber into said conduit so as to destroy any partial vacuum in said condult.

5 11. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a pump-suction pipe tern 11- nating inside of said lower' chamber ad acent the bottom thereof, a pump-discharge nicat-ion between said conduit and said lower 15 chamber, a duct through which liquid can flow from said upper. chamber into said lower chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of the liquid through said duct, and an air-pipe communicating with orifices in the 20 lower chamber and in the pump suction pipe.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses, this twenty-second day of October, 1912.

1 CHARLES S. LEWVIS.

Witnesses:-

WELLS L. CHURCH, GEORGE BAKEWELL.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,080,917, granted December 1913, upon the application of Charles S. Lewis, of St. Louis, Missouri, for an improvement in Pumplriming Mechanism, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2- line 80, for the word scatic Fad stazt'icppage 4,.line 16, for the word leses" read less; and that the said Letters latent'should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. I

Signedand sealed this 30th day 'of'December, A. D., 1913.

l. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commission of Patentt.v

chambers and in the pump-suction pipe, and means for permitting air to escape from said upper chamber into said conduit so as to destroy any partial vacuum in said condult.

5 11. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a pump-suction pipe tern 11- nating inside of said lower' chamber ad acent the bottom thereof, a pump-discharge nicat-ion between said conduit and said lower 15 chamber, a duct through which liquid can flow from said upper. chamber into said lower chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of the liquid through said duct, and an air-pipe communicating with orifices in the 20 lower chamber and in the pump suction pipe.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses, this twenty-second day of October, 1912.

1 CHARLES S. LEWVIS.

Witnesses:-

WELLS L. CHURCH, GEORGE BAKEWELL.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,080,917, granted December 1913, upon the application of Charles S. Lewis, of St. Louis, Missouri, for an improvement in Pumplriming Mechanism, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2- line 80, for the word scatic Fad stazt'icppage 4,.line 16, for the word leses" read less; and that the said Letters latent'should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. I

Signedand sealed this 30th day 'of'December, A. D., 1913.

l. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commission of Patentt.v 

